In a Flash – Left wing Tomas Fleischmann, who scored 19 goals a year ago, could make his season debut tonight in Atlanta . Fleischmann’s offseason was thrown into turmoil when he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in June, a blood clot that had formed in his leg. He has skated and worked out on his own since returning to D.C., was cleared for contact last week and played two games for Hershey in the AHL. While he is in the unenviable position of jumping into the season while other players have had training camp and 11 games to prepare, he nevertheless injects a unique level of skill and creativity to the Capitals’ forward ranks.

NOTE OF THE NIGHT

Rebounders – Washington has fallen behind 2-0 in each of the last two games, its first two two-goal deficits of the season. In each case the Capitals scored within 2:18 of giving up the second goal and came back to win. Washington is 2-0-1 when its opponent scores first.

FIVE MORE NOTES NO MEDIA PERSON SHOULD BE WITHOUT

Doubled over – Alex Ovechkin, who leads the NHL with 11 goals (through Tuesday’s games), has scored goals in six games. In five of those games he has scored two goals and the Capitals are 4-0-1 in those games. Washington is 26-0-2 the last 28 times Ovechkin has had a multiple-goal game. Ovechkin’s 10 even-strength goals are three more than any other NHL player.

No way, Jose – Among NHL goaltenders with more than two starts, Jose Theodore ranks third with a .922 save percentage (through Tuesday’s games). His 41-save effort Tuesday against Philadelphia marked the most saves he has made in 65 games with the Capitals, and included a third-period penalty shot save. In his last four starts Theodore has a 2.04 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage.

More no – Washington has allowed two goals or fewer in five of its last six games. Atlanta , which lost to the Capitals 5-4 last week, is the only opponent to score more than two goals in that time.

Minor point – Tonight’s game features the franchises that won the last two Calder Cups in the American Hockey League (AHL), as well as the last two AHL MVPs and scoring champions (Alexandre Giroux in 2009, Jason Krog in 2008). Giroux, Keith Aucoin and Krog were the top three scorers in the AHL a year ago. Three of the last four Calder Cup-winning head coaches are behind the benches tonight (Capitals assistant coach Bob Woods in 2009, Atlanta ’s John Anderson in 2008 and Washington ’s Bruce Boudreau in 2006).

Going Green – Mike Green has points in six straight games (2g-5a), the longest point streak by a Capital this season and matching the longest by a defenseman in the NHL this year. After posting two points in his first five games, Green now ranks tied for fifth in scoring by a defenseman with nine points in 11 games.

“If you grow up in metro Washington, you grow up a diehard Redskins fan. But if you hate your parents, you grow up a Cowboys fan.”-Jim Lachey